Chicago FBI director braces for threats in unusual election year as Democratic National Convention is held in the city

When Chicago’s FBI chief talks about the work done by the agents, analysts and others in its fourth-largest field office here, he sums it up with five words: “the best of the bureau.
” But in a world increasingly threatened by extremism and political violence — and with the Democratic National Convention set to take place in Chicago in seven short months — Robert W.
“Wes” Wheeler Jr.
insists, “It’s got to be better.
” “It’s just not good enough based on the new, the evolving, the breadth of the challenges, and the threats that we face nationally, globally, but specifically for Chicago,” Wheeler told the Chicago Sun-Times.
“I feel like we have a more-than-our-fair-share of threat.
”That’s why, a year after taking the helm as the FBI’s special agent in charge here, Wheeler said he is making in-house changes so his team can more quickly respond to developing threats and crises.
He’s doing so amid preparations not just for the Democratic convention, but for the Republican National Convention set to take place 90 miles to the north, in Milwaukee.
“Whether you live in Chicago or you travel to Chicago, it’s a focal point that I don’t think we can ignore that that exists,” Wheeler said.
“I think we’re more likely to have problems with violent extremists here than in many other places in the country because of this incident.
” Expect President Joe Biden to be nominated Democratic National Convention.
The second season will be held in Chicago from August 19th to 22nd.
Evening events will be held at the United Center and daytime events will be held at the McCormick Place Convention Center.
The Republican National Convention in Milwaukee is scheduled for July 15-18.
The two events mark an unprecedented turn of events in a presidential election, with former President Donald Trump on track to win the Republican nomination despite multiple indictments and a potential trial date.
It represents a moment.
Political violence has become a serious problem, and the war between Israel and Hamas continues to shake the world.
Meanwhile, the summer months tend to be Chicago’s most violent in any given year.
It’s a recipe for a broad range of threats, which Wheeler and others are trying to anticipate.
The Democratic convention is a national special security event handled primarily by the Secret Service.
But Wheeler said the FBI also has a role to play in terms of intelligence and “tactical resolution.
” He said planning began even before he took charge of Chicago’s FBI field office on Jan.
2, 2023.
The Chicago Police Department is another crucial player.